Pope dismisses Polish bishop after abuse scandal

Pope Francis has dismissed the Bishop of Łowicz, Andrzej Dziuba, for failing to investigate allegations of abuse of minors by members of Poland's Catholic clergy.

The pontiff accepted an offer of resignation from the 74-year-old, the Vatican announced in Rome on Saturday.

According to a statement from the papal nunciature in Poland, "difficulties in the administration of the diocese and, in particular, negligence in the handling of cases of sexual abuse committed by some clergy against minors" had been identified.

The diocese of Łowicz belongs to the archdiocese of Łódź in central Poland.